DALLAS - At the 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan events in Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York, the American Heart Association has trained more than 8,000 attendees in Hands-Only CPR, resulting in over 800,000 practice chest compressions. This initiative, a collaboration with the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), is one of the largest public CPR education efforts in the organization's history.
More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States each year. Immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chance of survival, yet many bystanders hesitate due to lack of training. The American Heart Association's Mobile CPR Unit teaches participants the two simple steps: call 911 and push hard and fast in the center of the chest.
“More than 800,000 CPR training compressions practiced by fans are proof of how quickly people can build the confidence to act when every second counts,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “Still, more than half of people who have a cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not receive CPR before professional help arrives. By bringing Hands-Only CPR training to FIFA Fan events, we’re helping more people feel ready to act - and the life they save is likely to be someone they love.”
This effort supports the Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which aims to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by 2030. With nearly three out of four cardiac arrests happening at home, knowing CPR can help save a loved one.
“We are delighted to use the global reach of football to promote lifesaving initiatives like CPR,” said Andrew Massey, FIFA Medical Director. “Through FIFA Fan Experiences, we can reach thousands of people and extend these critical skills far beyond the pitch.”
The American Heart Association, the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. Hands-Only CPR, also known as compression-only CPR, is effective for teens and adults in the first few minutes after a collapse. The Mobile CPR Unit's presence at FIFA Fan events represents the largest public Hands-Only CPR engagement in its history.
To learn more about Hands-Only CPR and join the Nation of Lifesavers, visit heart.org/nation. Additional resources include Hands-Only CPR Resources and a Bystander CPR Infographic.
